ABOUT MALDIVES

Sun, sand and sea, a thousand �Robinson Crusoe� islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that.

GEOGRAPHY

The chain of 1190 little coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean that forms the archipelago of the Maldives is 80 -120 km wide. Only 201 islands are inhabited by the local people, and 83 islands are developed exclusively as tourist resorts, while the rest are uninhabited.

CLIMATE

The Summer never ends in the Maldives. Although it is warm throughout the year there are slight variations in the temperature during certain periods determined by the monsoons. The Northeast monsoons, from November to April is mostly dry with very little wind, while the Southwest monsoon from May to October brings some rain and wind. Being on the equator, the monsoons are mild and the temperature varies very little. The annual average daily temperature is between 30.4 and 25.4 degrees Celsius. The average rainfall is below 2m per annum.

HISTORY & CULTURE

Maldives was visited by people from all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These visitors left a strong influence on the people, their religion and the culture of the Maldives.

PEOPLE & LANGUAGE

The Maldives has a population of about 300,000 people (est. 1998). The Maldivians have a beautiful and harmonious blend of features from a mixture of Arabic to African, and Asian. The people live a simple, laid back, and contented life-style. With ready smiles, and always willing to lend a helping hand, the Maldivians are a friendly race and make visitors feel very welcome.
Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, with its strong Arabic influence ia as exotic as it sounds. The language with its own script is spoken only in the Maldives.